Runner's World Half Marathon

This is a long overdue race review, but sometimes life happens. Anyway, as you know, almost a week ago now I ran my second half marathon. Everyone asks me how I did. I don't really know how to answer that. Physically, I finished. Was I pain free, no. Was it my IT band, no, actually, that felt really good. See, back in May I began to develop some foot pain on the ball of my right foot (yes, only that foot). The pain was not constant, and it only occurred once I reached mile 6.5. (yes, I know that that too is weird). I took it as my body telling me that my shoes were worn out and that I needed a new pair. So, I bought the next generation of my current shoe, because even though I love those shoes, they are not available. Fast forward to 6 weeks before the half. Still having the foot pain, although I relate it now to breaking in the shoes. Went back to the store where I bought the shoes and they allowed me to exchange the shoes for wider ones. Now, I know these new shoes won't be broken in on time for the half, so what do I do. I try to wear the new ones on long training ones to give my old shoes a break. Still pain :( So, fast forward to last Sunday and just know that I am wearing old shoes. Mile 6.5 came and my foot started to hurt. By mile 8, I really wanted to quit, but I had Holly and April to help motivate me. (Well, really they carried me through it because I didn't want to let them down). So, I guess you can say that I should be happy I finished. I am. I knew in the  back of my mind that I should be able to do it in about 2.28, that was my time at St Luke's. But, my runs had been cut down between life and work so I had my official goal to finish in less than 3 hours.  I am happy that I was able to finish it in 2 hours and 35 minutes, but I am not happy that I had so much pain. The nurse in me decided that it is not a stress fracture, 1 because it only starts to hurt at 6.5 miles and 2, because it doesn't hurt all the time. But, I am also going to be smart about it. I am going to see a podiatrist to look at my foot just to make sure there isn't something mechanically wrong with it. If I am going to survive a full marathon in 2013, I need to be able to run longer than 6.5 miles pain free.
Ok, so now, what did I think of Runner's World Half Marathon and Festival. I think that the organizers of St Luke's should take some notes. Having the expo in a tent outside allows for people like myself to feel less overwhelmed and claustrophobic. It really did allow a lot of free movement in an out of the expo. However, I do not think that there were a lot of vendors and definitely no free samples. (St Luke's was very crowded and very overwhelming, so I do not know if there were a lot of free samples, but, I do know that I did receive a few).  The race loot. I do not know how I feel about the "virtual race bag." I think it takes away from the whole race feel. We did get a pretty decent race shirt, but that was it. No bag, no free sample of the magazine, no pen, nothing. Then, when we went to the vendors, they didn't have bags either. So if you were planning on spending a lot of money, you wouldn't have had any place to put the goods. My only other gripe with the expo was that Shalane Flannagan was there on Sunday (race day) but she was only available from 10-11. I don't know about you, but if a race starts at 830 (it did) where would most average Joes be at 11 am (still running!!!) I was and still a lot disappointed that I didn't get to meet her.
The area for the half both the start and finish was awesome! I haven't been exposed to a starting area like this one, but I definitely thought it was awesome. Definitely enough bathroom facilities at the starting area, just not enough in the finish area.  I don't know how the food was, I didn't stick around for it, but I hear I shouldn't have missed it.
   Now, onto the race. What can I say about this race. One word hilly! The first 6.5 miles was the bulk of the hills, with one more long hill at I think mile 10. I am really glad that I had done the stadium steps because I believe it helped me with the hills (I will definitely continue that torture). Once we got out of Bethlehem proper, I think the run was beautiful. The fall colors really were a nice backdrop for the run, and we also couldn't have asked for nicer weather. It was beautiful.  I appreciate all of the effort that the citizens of the neighborhoods that we invaded did in supporting us. I definitely appreciated the "Got Chafing" sign, because it was at that point that I realized I had forgotten my body glide. I wish that the water and gatorade stops were a little more organized, but I do appreciate their timing. It seemed like every time I needed water we were at a water stop. I do wish there was more entertainment, although I am glad I found out before the race that there was none otherwise it would have been a longer 13.1 miles.
The finish area was awesome, although I really think that mile 12 was really mismarked. I think I was at 12.2 on my Garmin before the race marker came up. I know that really isn't a huge discrepancy, but when running 13.1 every mile marker matters. At this point of the race my feet were on fire. I got to see my family at mile 12,

photo courtesy of my husband

I briefly paused for my daughter to give me a kiss, and heard her crying as I ran away. After 12, it was only a matter of time to the finish. Every since I started running, my cousin told me to make sure you don't get passed at the end, that you do the passing. I KNEW I had to finish hard. Somewhere after 13, the road turned to bricks. I knew then that it was a matter of seconds until I was finished. As soon as both feet were on the bricks, I turned on the jets. I knew I HAD to finish hard. It was for all of the training. I believe I passed like 4 people at the finish.

I crossed the finish line and that was it. No one hung the medal around my neck. No one draped with me the alien cape. I walked around people loitering in the finish area. I finally got my medal. It was a really nice medal, I just wish it was put around my neck, not just handed to me.

Will I do this race again, most likely. Will I complain about the hills, definitely. Will I do it faster than 2 hours and 35 minutes, YOU BET!
Happy Friday!!

Race Day!

Today is race day! It is what the last 12 weeks have been for. I am not sure how I will do, all I can hope is to do my best. I know how fast I am capable of running, I know how fast I want to go, but I am just going to start, finish and enjoy every moment. It is the first time this race is being done, so there are no expectations. After mile 7, the race is all down hill or flat. Just have to make it that far! So, for today, here are my mantras....

 

 

 

Good luck to all the runners today who are running the Runner's World Half Marathon. I hope that no matter what your goal is, you will achieve it, but that you will also remember to have fun doing it! Good luck! Kick ass!!

WIAW + Fitness update

Good morning! I know it has been a while since I have blogged. I try to make use of as much free time as I can, but sometimes life just goes by quickly, ya know! Anyway, let's just start with how in the world is it almost time for my half marathon already?!?! I feel like I just started training, and now I am getting more nervous as the time gets closer. But, while I know I haven't been running as much as I used to, I NEVER missed my long runs and made sure that I am doing something in the form, of cross training. I am also trying to eat healthier, which lately, I have been struggling with since quite my running has been cut backed. So, I found a picture of something I JUST HAD TO TRY on instagram from someone I hope to meet in real life @mymissionimpossible. I never thought I would pair eggs, with peanut butter and chocolate chips and walnuts, and it ACTUALLY taste good. Well, let me just tell you...

 

 

 

while this doesn't look appetizing it was absolutely Divine. Since it also had vanilla whey protein and vanilla almond milk in it, it tasted more like vanilla with yumminess that I forgot that there were eggs in it.  I will definitely make this again, maybe not for breakfast (although I wanted something sweet today) but definitely for a late night snack since it is healthy for me.  Since it isn't lunch time yet, this is all I ate so far today. Hopefully, I will be able to continue with the healthy eating, and hydrating since I don't want to dehydrate on Sunday.

 

 

As you know, I have been doing Jillian Michael's 30 day shred. I am on Level 2. Today was my 9th day on level 2. It definitely is a slight bit easier than when I started it, BUT I definitely wouldn't say that I am ready to move to Level 3 yet. It hasn't killed me yet, BUT I do feel like I am dying ever.single workout.  In the 20 minutes of the workout, I am covered head to toe in sweat. After the 20 minutes, you would have thought I ran for like an hour; in the middle of the summer; with 90% humidity. I LOVE IT! I don't know how it will help with my running, Sunday will be a great indicator. I do have some other plans for cross training, but I will not be crossing that bridge until I feel more comfortable with Jillian. The only drawback to Jillian is how repetitious it is. I LOVE change, but I can know tell you what exercise is coming next, and that takes away the excitement for me. But, I will stick with it. I started it, and I have been doing it for 17 days now. I have 13 weeks left of the 30 day Shred plan. I don't know if I will be shredded by then, but if I keep it up, and get back to eating healthier, maybe just maybe I too can be Shredded.

 

But, I better go. I have a very important date with those pictured above. Today though, I will only be doing half of them. Or well, that is what I say. Who knows.

 

Have a great Wednesday!

And the beat goes on...

Happy Tuesday! Hope this week is treating you well! Today was  day 10 of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred (currently Level 2 Day 3) I can honestly say it isn't any easier than the last 2 days, but I am so totally sweating more! I currently have a love hate relationship with it. Last night, my bestie Liz asked me to go with her to the YMCA and take Zumba with her. I have taken Zumba like last May, so it was like I never took it before. Ok, first off, there is not Latina in me ANYWHERE!! I cannot shake my money maker, shake my shoulders, nothing. I was concentrating so much on getting the movements correct, that I might have stopped having fun. Well, until I looked over and saw my best friend standing there with me. And realized I couldn't ask for better company to spend it with. I do know that we will probably try Zumba again, and have a blast. I do know that the classes that my friend is exposing me too is great for cross training. Going to the Y at least once a week might just get me to join. Besides getting girl time while getting in shape, M will be able to take swimming lessons. Sounds like a win win to me. Even if there are no classes that interest me, M and I can still swim, something that I know I will love and cherish.
So here is to a happy Tuesday and more of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. She says that doing this should make us feel like we are going to die, yeah, I was probably close to it. I am going to keep on keeping on. 12 days until I will have my second half under my belt. Here's to you and exploring other fitness avenues to keep it fresh. I am thankful that my friend is exposing me to all of these classes, it definitely reaffirms my desire to become certified in personal training.
Have a great night.

Saturday...

First, I wanted to see if you noticed a new look here at PirateBooty Fitness?!? No, you didn't? Look again. My awesome "friend" (I hope to make it IRL) from Running In Pearls designed it for me? Doesn't it look swell?!? I LOVE IT! I think it captures the theme of what I wanted this website to look like. Anyway, let's do a recap so to speak of the last couple days, shall we?

As you know, I have been doing Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred. I missed Thursday because well 1- by body told me I needed to sleep in, and 2, I was on call and I got home super late and I was to tired, so I listened to my body again and just rested.  But, yesterday (was a day off) I actually got to run! I know, super crazy right. My friend AJ and I met up at Plainfield Township's rail to trail and we couldn't have asked for a better day. It was 80 (what the heck, isn't it fall?) so I wasn't really dressed the part of a summer runner, I was dressed the part of a fall runner. Anyway, I am in the process of breaking in new shoes (long story, a post for another day) and I thought I could handle a longish run. What do I mean by longish, well, I have exactly 15 days until my next half marathon, so slowly my mileage will be tapering down. I wanted to run at least 6, but breaking in new shoes is no joke. I did manage to do 5, so it wasn't really all bad, but, I think if I would have had already broken in shoes I would have gone further. Anyway, I was just glad to get out and run. This day care thing is starting to look up and up ;)  After runningYesterday, I did week 1 level 1 of the 30 day Shred, and I am glad I did! 
Today, the local running store Aardvark offered free yoga for runners. I went to last month's free session, so I was definitely not going to miss this one. What did I learn, 1- I wish yoga was cheaper, 2- maybe I really do need to look into yoga dvds, 3- I need to see if there are yoga studios closer to my house. Not that driving to Bethlehem is all that far (maybe 15 minutes) but that is not really convenient for me to commit to it.  The session was alright, it wasn't like classes I have been too before, but it was great at helping me stretch. I am not complaining, it was free and still totally worth it.  After yoga, I went home and did Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred Level 2. Let me first start off by saying that I don't EVER remember ever doing level 2. I must have done level 1 FOREVER!! This level is completely different. I was able to do level one in the comfort of my socks or bare feet without any problems. No, not for this level. I will HAVE to make sure I put on my gym shoes, this level is no joke. I am really looking forward to it though, I really know that while it is not running, it will still help in the long run. I wish I would have known about this level before, or well, I obviously knew about this level, I wish I had done it before. Or maybe not, it has only been one day, the jury is still out.
Hope you had a great Saturday!

*Note: Since this is now being posted on Sunday, I have since done the workout for another day. It did not get easier, in fact, I think it kicked my ass even harder. But, I am going to do this, and I will survive! This is just gearing me up for my next set of goals.

This time of year

This is a beautiful time of year. The weather is getting cooler, the colors are breath taking, yadda yadda yadda. What I don't like about this time of year, is that it gets so dark so soon.  Way too early if you ask me. In the summer, it is light until about 9 pm. Which works well when you work until 730 at night. You still have time to come home and take your daughter for a 2-3 mile run. Well, not this time of year. It is dark before I even get out of work. Makes it nearly impossible to take M for a run. Maybe I really do need to invest in a headlight, and reflective gear, and all of that jazz. Maybe I should get her a headlight so that she can enjoy the nighttime runs with me.

I am supposed to be training for a half marathon right now. Supposed to be is such a good key phrase. I mean I get my long runs in, but it's the short weekday runs that aren't getting in :( Well, maybe I can now get 1 in a week with M being in daycare, but is it too late? How will my half marathon suffer with only my long runs?!? I know that if I don't get a good time, I will be mad at myself, but who can I blame, only myself. I am trying to get some cross training in, I still try to run steps with Bob at least once a week, on my off day, because who wants to run steps at 8pm? I am currently doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, with the hope that it will help me with maintaining some of my cardiovascular capacity. I know it isn't the same as running, but at least it is something? Trust me, I am not complaining, and I don't regret having M, I just wish that maybe I worked a different shift and then I could still possibly run before I picked up M from daycare. I really need to talk to my uncle about getting my bike back. I could at least add that on Sundays and then I could have that as cross training too.  

Let me not complain, things are looking a little better. I was having pain in my foot, which I went to Aardvark to talk to them about it.  From what the salesperson told me, it is possible that the cut of the shoe was too narrow, so they were willing to exchange it for a wider shoe. It's like I got a new pair of shoes for free! I don't know if they will be broken in in time for the half marathon, but at least I have a new pair of shoes, right. 

I am hoping to next month start Beachbody's Insanity program. A few "friends" of mine are Beachbody coaches, and while I know that I cannot be like them, I look up to them, from both of running awesomeness and nutrition awesomeness. Hopefully the 30 Day Shred will re-ignite my weight loss quest and I will be able to keep it going with Insanity and hopefully add Shakeology as supplements.

I know this sounds like me doing nothing but complaining, but getting it off my chest makes me feel better.  I will hopefully sleep well tonight not having this on my chest anymore. I will get up tomorrow morning and do week1 day7 of the Shred. I will do what I can do keep myself moving forward in preparation for my half marathon. I will continue to be in awe of my friends who are running full marathons this weekend and hope they know how their sacrifices they make for their running definitely does not go unnoticed. My hats are off to you guys! All of you amaze and inspire me!

Foodie PenPal

Hi! Welcome to my fitness blog! If you are new to PirateBooty Fitness, you can learn more about me at my personal blog Shelze's World. This is a new fitness blog that I created to separate my working out adventures from my personal life. Not that they don't mix, but one day I hope to be able to make this blog part of my business life. Anyway, here is what you came here for...

In the month of September, I somehow stumbled upon this awesome website called The Lean Greenbean. Within her blog I found the option to join and become a Foodie PenPal. It is this awesome opportunity to meet people all across the US or Canada if you are Canadian, and share your love of food! Who doesn't love to get care packages, especially when they involve food?!? If you wanna know more, click here. I had so much fun, I already signed up for this month! The best part is that who you send too is not necessarily sending yours to you. I sent mine to a sweet young lady in CT where my package came from Laura in Minnesota! Hi Laura! I am so excited about this month, I am already planning my package! But, without further ado...



Yay! A package!!!!

This is the best, most fun thing there is! You put an entire ear of corn in the microwave and it makes popcorn! I have so much fun with this, and M thinks it is awesome! It's a win-win. I will be sad when I run out :(

This envelope had a sweet little note, and also a recipe for the MN wild rice. I am looking forward to the fall weather so that I can attempt to make it. Laura, I know it won't be true MN wild rice soup, but I will try!

I cannot wait to try this dip. Golden Fig sounds delish!

This book was included in the care package, and while I have never heard of it or the author, the little that I have had time to read is really good. I CANNOT wait for a day off and a peaceful day to read this book cover to cover! Thank you! I am always looking for a good book to read!

I can never have enough honey, and this cute little bear is exactly what I need. I love this honey and used it just last week when I was feeling under the weather.

I think it is awesome how through a few short emails Laura was able to learn about me and picked these awesome gifts for me. Thank you Laura and thank you again Lindsay for such a fabulous idea!